Duplex package and method of making the same



@ct. 19, 19 KlHN 2,4,14

DUPLEX PACKAGE AND METHOD O mum THE SAME Filed Aug. 9, 1944 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

@EQRGE A. KlHN ATTORNEY @cfi. w, 1948. (5.x. KIHN DUPLEX PACKAGE ANDMETHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed Aug. 9, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.atoms; A. KIHN ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 1948 v DUPLEX PACKAGE AND METHODOF MAKING THE SAME George a. Kihn, Richmond, Staten Island, N. r..assignor to American Machine and Foundry Company, a corporation of NewJersey Application August 9, 1944, Serial No. 548,758

This invention relates to novel bakery packages and to methods offorming such packages, especially in connection with the wrapping ofloaves of bread. As is well known in the trade loaves of bread are moreor less irregular even though attempts are made to maintain generaluniformity in length, width and height in baking any particular batch ofbread. However, despite all precautions the ends or heel portions areusually more or less irregular and may slope, curve or even overhang asa result of operations incident to preparation, and baking.

It is evident, therefore, that when articles such as loaves of bread orthe like are wrapped, difiiculty may be experienced in forming end foldsand securing the same relative to the ends of the articles beingwrapped. Accordingly it is difficult to obtain packages which aresubstantially uniform in appearance, especially insofar as the end foldsare concerned.

The present invention seeks to overcome some of the disadvantagesmentioned above in wrapping bread, and at the same time provide a novelpackage which has greatly improved end folds and, therefore, bettersales appeal. 7

According to my method a loaf of bread, whether sliced or unsliced, isseparated into at least two uniform halves which are rearranged in axialalignment such that the center portions become the ends of the loaf, andthe ends of the rearranged loaf are located in juxtaposition. When suchrearranged loaf halves are passed through a wrapping machine, it isobvious that the ends which are substantially uniform in cross sectionpresent a flat folding surface, and accordingly excellent appearing endfolds are made with considerable ease, Q

I have also found that a very satisfactory double package may be formedby separating a wrapped loaf of bread into two substantially equal partsand rearranging the parts in axial alignment such that the wrapped endsof the loaf parts are in juxtaposltion and the exposed loaf portionsbecome the new ends of the reassembled partially wrapped loaf. Thereassembled partially wrapped loaf may then be wrapped either by hand orany suitable wrapping machine and sealed to complete the wrapping informing a composite loaf package.

I have also found that an extremely pleasing and satisfactory loafresults from associating wrapped loaf halves in axial alignment withheel portions in juxtaposition and the former center portions formingthe new ends of the wrapped loaf assembly. Because 'of this arrangementand 9 Claims. (oi. 99-473) new ends of the loaf formed by two wrappedsections are substantially the same, great uniformity in the finishedpackage results. The end folds of the outer wrapper are more regular andlie flatter against the flat cut faces of the loaf assembly.

If desired the portion of the wrapper constituting the top of thecomposite package formed by wrapping sliced or unsliced, wrapped orunwrapped, loaf sections reassembled as described hereinabove, may beprovided with perforations or there may be employed-tear strips in orderto assist in breaking the package into two sections when the bread isbeing consumed.

Also, during the wrapping operation incident to wrapping reassembledpartially wrapped loaf sections, and especially in the heat sealing ofthe several folds and the bottom seem, the bottom seamof the outerwrapper tends to become firmly i sealed, by means of the thermoplasticsealing mediums on the wrapper, to the bottoms of the wrappers of thepartially wrapped sections, and in this way each of the end to endaxially aligned loaf sections is securely held within the outer wrapperso that when the loaf is broken apart, each section remains completelywrapped.

Due to the fact that the end flaps can be folded with great ease againstthe fiat surface which formerly constituted the inner portion of theloaf, this method adapts itself very satisfactorily to the applicationof end labels which can be easily located and applied to the end foldsof the composite package.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an improvedbakery article package and method for forming the same. I

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved bakerypackage such as a wrapped loaf of bread and method for forming the samewherein 'a sliced or unsliced, wrapped or unwrapped loaf of bread isdivided into at least two parts which are arranged in axial alignmentwith the ends or heel portions in contact one with the other and thenwrapped to form more uniform packages because of the fact that the partsof. the article constituting the ends of the reassembled or compositearticle in the case of partially wrapped loaf sections are substantiallyuniform in cross section, thereby making possible the formation of moreuniform and better appearing end folds.

The invention is further characterized by the provision of a novelbakery package such as a wrapped loafv of bread, and a method forforming the fact that the shape and surface areas of the the samewherein a completely wrapped loaf of bread is divided into at least twoparts which are arranged in axial alignment with the end flaps injuxtaposition, then wrapping the reassembled loaf in a second or outerwrapper and sealing the and fiaps and bottom seam.

The invention further consists in the provision of a new bakery productsuch as a loaf of bread provided with an inner and an outer wrapper inwhich the inner wrapper constitutes a partial wrapping and the outerwrapper constitutes a complete wrapping for the loaf wherein when thepackage is opened each loaf section remains a completely wrapped unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a composite wrappedbakery article wherein a completely wrapped loaf of bread is dividedinto at least two parts which are aligned in axial alignment with thewrapped ends in engagement after which an outer wrapper is appliedthereto and end flaps are formed over the substantially uniform ends ofthe reassembled loaf and the flaps and bottom seam are heat sealed tocomplete the wrapping of the package.

The invention also consists in securing the outer wrapper to the innerwrapper along the bottom portions thereof in order that when the twosections are broken apart when the product is consumed, each sectionwill form a completely wrapped half loaf.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that the invention is not confined tothe specific method steps and the details of the construction of theapparatus for carrying out the method herein set forth, by way ofillustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may bemade therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from thespirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,and wherein the several reference characters designate the same or likeelements:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side sectional elevation taken on line i-i ofFigure 2;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 2 indicatingdiagrammatically the transit of loaf assembly to and through aconventional wrapping machine;

Figure 4 is a sectional, diagrammatic view showing a wrapped loaf;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic. sectional view of a wrapped loaf cut in two,reassembled in axial alignment and with the end fold portions of theloaf parts in juxtaposition prior to final wrap- Figure 6 is adiagrammatic view of the loaf assembly of Figure 5 wrapped;

Figure 7 is a perspective view broken away to show the generalarrangement of the inner and outer wrappers;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a completed composite package of awrapper enclosed partially wrapped or unwrapped, sliced or unsliced loafhaving end labels amxed to the end folds of the enclosing wrapper; and

Figure 9 is a sectional diagrammatic view showing two fully wrapped loafcomponents arranged with heel ends in juxtaposition enclosed in an outerwrapper. I

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are diagrammatic views illustrating somewhatschematically, suitable mechanism for carrying out a preferred form ofmy invention. As shown, leaves L are moved by means of side conveyors I0and bottom conveyor l2 driven in any suitable manner from a wrappingmachine (not shown) past a loaf divider or separator, such as astationary knife i8 inclined with respect to the path of travel of eachloaf being split into two portions. Knife l6 may be provided with aserrated edge in the usual manner. The upper end of knife i6. asindicated in Figure 1, may be secured by means of a screw II to a clampIt provided with a wing nut adjustment 20 for adjustably securing theclamp on a cross shaft 22 suitably mounted in the side frames of themachine (not shown). The lower end of knife I6 is provided with anopening I9 thus enabling it to be mounted on a cross pin 23 carried byan angle bracket 30 fixed to the underside of the plate 24. Plate 24 maybe provided with a slot 25 of a width suflicient to allow transverseadjustment of lower end of knife It in order to conform with theadjusted secured position of the upper end thereof on rod 22.

I Coacting with knife l6 and in substantial alignment therewith is avertical plate 32 having its rear end secured to clamp i8 by means ofscrew 33. As shown in Figure l, the rear end of plate 32 is providedwith an inclined face corresponding to the angle of inclination of knife16 so that plate 32 in effect constitutes a continuation of knife l8,and loaves moving past knife 18 are maintained separated by plate 32 asthey pass therealong enroute to conveyor 42, described hereinbelow. Thefront end of plate 32 is secured by means of a wing nut 36 to a clamp 38fixed to a transverse bar 40 suitably mounted in the side frames of themachine (not shown). Fixed to the front end of plate 32 and extendingsubstantially horizontally above conveyor 42 is an elongated fiatvertical spring member 39 which constitutes a flexible extension ofplate 32 and assists in alternately shifting a succession of partiallywrapped or unwrapped, sliced or unsliced loaf sections A and B as theyare transported along guide plate 42 enroute to the infeed conveyor 30of the bread wrapping machine designated generally 10 (Figure 3).

Loaves advanced by conveyors III, l2 may be either partially wrapped orunwrapped, sliced or unsliced according to the demands of customers ofthe baking establishment. The succession of divided loaves of breadmoving past knife l4 and plate 32 travel onto bottom support plates 24,26'suitably secured to the side frames of the machine (not shown). Theseplates may be constructed and arranged much in the general manner shownin Papendick Patent No. 2,247,699, issued July 1, 1941. As indicated inFigures 1, 2 and 3, divided loaf sections designated A and B, slidealong plates 24, 24, and drop therefrom onto elongated guide plate 42.

Plate 24 is so arranged with respect to plate 24 that a loaf section Awill drop onto guide plate 42 in advance of a loaf section B in front ofa flight 44 fixed to spaced endless chain conveyors 46. As indicated inFigure l, a flight 44 moves into-engagement with a loaf section A or B,as such section drops from either plates 24 or 24 and awaits deliverythereby along plate 42 to the infeed conveyor 33 of the wrapping machineIll.

For example, in Figure 3, a loaf section A, either partially wrapped orunwrapped resulting from movement of loavesL past knife 16 and plate 32has dropped from plate 24 and will be 'moved forward by the next flight44. Continued engaging cam followers it on levers 6i.

forward travel of flight 44 causes the loaf section A to advance betweenflexible plate 39 and side guide plate 38 in such a way that as the loafsection engages side guide plate 48 fixed to vertical studs 52 and 54,flexible plate 39 yields and delivers loaf section A to the positionindicated as position I in Figure 3 between two spaced plates 56 securedto vertical studs 54. Further forward advance of loaf section A resultsin it being moved between two pivoted swingable plates 58 mounted onstuds 66, which studs have secured thereto levers M which may beoperated by suitable means (described hereinbelow) to shift plates 58 inunison to the positions shown in broken lines in Figures 2 and 3 inorder to deliver flrst, a loaf section A, and then a loaf section B inproper end to end relation upon infeed conveyor 50 between grippingflights 62 thereof for delivery into the wrapping machine.

In a similar manner after a loaf section A has been advanced by one ofthe flights it of conveyor t6, the next loaf section to be moved by thefollowing flight M will be a section designated B which drops off plate26 in the path of movement of the next flight M. This section B is movedbetween flexible plate 39 and side guide plate t9 attached to studs 52,5t mounted in any suitable manner along the path of travel of loafsections, as indicated in Figure 2. Loaf sections B are advancedalternately to position I and dis-- posed on infeed conveyor 50 betweenclamping plates 62 thereof. In this way loaf sections A and B which maybe partially wrapped (Figure 5) or unwrapped, sliced or unsliced loafportions are reassembled in juxtaposition or general loaf arrangementand are ready to be moved onto the wrapping machine for final wrapping.

Suitable mechanism for shifting plates 58 transversely to the path ofmovement of loaf sections A and B is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Levers Mare provided with channel portions it Levers M are also provided witharms 80 having pivotally attached thereto links 82 in turn connected tolevers B l fixed as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to a shaft 86 suitablymounted in the side frames of the machine (not shown). One of the levers8% may be provided with an arm 88 provided with a slot 90, in which isadjustably secured a pin 92 to which is connected a pitman 9% connectedto an eccentric strap 96 of an eccentric 98 on shaft I driven from themain drive of the machine (not shown). The timing of conveyor 56 andeccentric Hill is such that loaf sections are properly disposed betweenflights 62 as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figures 4, and 6, indicate diagrammatically the sequence of stepsinvolved. Figure 4 shows a wrapped loaf which may be sliced or unsliced,prior to being advanced by conveyors l0, it against knife I6 and pastseparating plate 32. Figure 5 shows the loaf sections A and B rearrangedwith the wrapper covered heel" ends juxtapositioned and the sections Aand B in substantial alignment. Figure 6 illustrates the arrangement ofthe loaf sections A and B when completely covered. In Figure '7 aperspective view of the elements constituting the completely wrappedcomposite loaf package is shown. It will be noted that because of thearrangement of the two loaf sections, the parts of the reassembled loafwhich form the ends'of the package are extremely uniform due to the factthat the new ends are substantially the samein cross section and anyinequalities incident to proofing and baking are eliminated because ofthe repositioning of the pan ends of the loaf at the center andrelocation of the center portions thereof to form the new loaf packageends. Figure 8 shows the same package as in Figure 7 with an end label.Because of the uniform and flat folds obtainable according to myinvention, end labels are amxed with considerable ease and with aminimum of waste.

As shown in Figure 9, loaf sections can be completely wrapped and thenreassembled with wrapped heel portions in juxtaposition and the wrappedcenter portions forming the new ends of the assembly to be enclosed inan outer wrapper' S. The similarity in shape of the outer ends and theflat folding surface presented by the center portions of loaves makespossible the formation of end folds which are more regular, and lieflatter against the ends of the leaf assembly enclosed.

It is believed evident from the above that either sliced or unsliced,unwrapped loaves or wrapped loaves of sliced or unsliced bread can bereassembled with the pan ends thereof in juxtaposition as indicated inFigures 5 and e in orderato form a more pleasing bread package whereinthe ends are extremely uniform and the end folds can lie much flatterand assume a better fold arrangement, thus contributing to the salesappeal of each individual package. The package shown in Figures '7 and 8may consist of sliced, unsliced halves of. any desired type of bread,such for instance as all white, wholewheat, date or combinations ofone-half of a wholewheat loaf associated with one-half of a white breadloaf or other desired assembly.

In the case of the novel double wrapped loaf package illustrated inFigures 4 to '7, inclusive, it is pointed out that considerable savingin wrapper results because of the fact that a much narrower sheet can beused in forming the package. This is because I have found that it isunnecessary to completely wrap each loaf section A or B before it isassembled into the juxtapositioned relationship of Figure 5 prior tofinal wrapping to producethe packages in Figures 6 and 7. A single foldarrangement and seal arrangement at the ends of the packages, shown inFigures 6, 7 and 8, furnishes all the protection necessary andeliminates the necessity of completely enclosing each section A and B.As the wrapped composite loaf packages pass through the wrapping machineit into delivery portions indicated generally at 12 thereof, the wrapperends E and bottom F are heat sealed in known manner. The heat sealing ofthe bottom insures the bottom portion of the inner wrapper N beingsecured to the bottom portion F of the outer wrapper so that when theloaf is to be consumed and Wrapped section A is broken apart fromwrapped section B,'the inner wrapper N partially enclosing each sectionA and B is firmly secured to the outer wrapper 0, and there is littledanger .of the two wrappers becoming separated until they are pulledapart manually.

In order to assist in breaking the composite loaf package into twowrapped sections, the outer to be restricted to the precise details ofthe structure shown and described.

What'is claimed is;

1. The method of forming a wrapped bakery article of the groupconsisting of sliced and unsliced loaves of bread which comprisescompletely wrapping said article and securing the wrapper about the sameto form a wrapped package, then dividing said package into twosubstantially equal partially wrapped parts, each of said parts beingenclosed within said wrapper except for one end, turning each of saidparts end for end and bringing the fully wrapped ends thereof intocontact to form a partially wrapped loaf assembly, then completelywrapping said assembly including folding the projecting wrapper endsabout the exposed ends of each of said partially wrapped parts, andsecuring said wrapper about said assembly to form a completely wrappedcomposite package.

2. The method of forming a composite wrapped bakery package whichcomprises completely wrapping an elongated bakery product, and securingthe wrapper about the same, then dividing said wrapped product into twosubstantially equal parts. said parts being completely wrapped exceptfor one end of each part which results from the division of the originalpackage, reassembling each partially wrapped part with the wrapped endsin juxtaposition and the exposed ends of the bakery product extendingoutward to form the ends of the reassembled partially wrapped product,then completely wrapping the reassembled partially wrapped parts to forma wrapped composite package.

3. The method of forming a composite package which comprises completelywrapping an elongated bakery product of the group consisting of slicedand unsliced bread, separating said wrapped loaf of bread approximatelymidway of its length to form two substantially equal partially wrappedloaf parts, each having one unwrapped end, and reassembling saidpartially wrapped parts with the wrapped ends in juxtaposition insubstantial loaf formation, then wrapping said reassembled loaf to formsaid composite bakery package, including sealing the bottom portions ofthe inner and outer wrappers together.

4. The method of forming a composite package which comprises completelywrapping an elongated bakery product of the group consisting of loavesof bread and cake, separating said wrapped loaf approximately midway ofits length to form two substantially equal wrapped loaf parts, each parthaving one unwrapped end, reassembllng said parts with the wrapped endsin juxtaposition in substantial loaf formation and the inner unwrappedfiat faces constituting the ends of the reassembled partially wrappedloaf, enclosing said reassembled loaf in'a wrapper with the.

ends projecting beyond the unwrapped ends of said reassembled loafparts, folding said extending wrapper portion about the ends of saidloaf, sealing the same thereto, and afilxing a label to each end of saidfinal package.

5. A wrapped bakery product comprising a loaf of bread divided into twopartially wrapped halves, the wrapped heel ends of said halves beinglocated in juxtaposition, in substantially a loaf form assembly with theinner unwrapped faces thereof constituting the ends of said assemblyuncovered by said inner wrapper. and an outer wrapper enclosing saidassembly and securing said parts in loaf package formation.

6. A wrapped bakery product comprising a loaf of bread divided into twosubstantially equal halves, each half being completely enclosed in aninner wrapper having a thermoplastic coating, except for one end of eachpart which is uncovered, said halves being arranged in substantial loafformation assembly with the wrapped heel ends juxtaposed and theunwrapped ends thereof presenting substantially flat uniform foldingsurfaces, and an outer wrapper encircling said assembly and securedthereabout.

l. A wrapped loaf of bread comprising a loaf of bread divided into twosubstantially equal halves, each half being completely enclosed in aninner wrapper having a thermoplastic coating, except for one end of eachpart which is uncovered, said halves being arranged in substantial loafformation assembly with the wrapped heel ends juxtaposed and theunwrapped ends thereof presenting substantially flat uniform foldingsurfaces: and an outer wrapper encircling said assembly and securedthereabout, the bottom seam of said outer wrapper being adhesivelysecured to the complementary portions of said inner wrapper.

8. A wrapped bakery product comprising a loaf of bread divided into twosubstantially equal halves, each half being completely enclosed in aninner wrapper having a thermoplastic coating, except for one end of eachpart which is uncovered, said halves being arranged in substantial loafformation assembly with the wrapped heel ends juxtaposed and theunwrapped ends thereof presenting substantially uniform flat foldingsurfaces, an outer wrapper encircling said assembly and securedthereabout, and end labels secured to the end folds of the outerwrapper.

9. A wrapped bakery product comprising a loaf of bread divided into twosubstantially equal halves, each half being completely enclosed in aninner wrapper having a thermoplastic coating, except for one end of eachpart which is uncovered, said halves being arranged in substantial loafformation assembly with the wrapped heel ends juxtaposed and theunwrapped ends thereof presenting substantially flat uniform foldingsurfaces, an outer wrapper encircling said assembly and securedthereabout, the bottom seam of said outer wrapper being adhesivelysecured to the complementary portions of said inner wrapper, and endlabels secured to the end folds of the outer wrapper.

GEORGE A. BURN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,104,739 Sevigne July 21, 19141,969,004 Hartman Aug. 7, 1934 2,104,095 Papendick Jan. 4, 19382,105,648 Haas Jan. 18, 1938 2,247,401 Papendick July 1, 1941 OTHERREFERENCES Modern Packaging, Sept. 1941, pages 90, 91 and 92. (Copy inDiv. 63.)

